The Impact of Research and Development on the Prevention of Oral Diseases in Children and Adolescents: An Industry Perspective

Resident: Swan

Article Title: The Impact of Research and Development on the Prevention or Oral Diseases in Children and Adolescents: An Industry Perspective

Author: Diane Cummins, PhD

Journal: Pediatric Dentistry 28(2) 2006. Pgs 118-123

Major Topic: A Review of the Existing and Prospective means available for preventing oral diseases

Main Purpose: This article provides a perspective of the impact of research and development on the prevention of oral diseases in children and adolescents. It reviews significant advances in oral health and new scientific approaches to prevention, and reviews the biggest challenges and opportunities in putting these measures into practice.

Method of Research: This article is a Conference Paper

Findings/Key Points: The author first (and at great length) highlights the importance of translational research in developing new methods to lessen oral disease. The "major breakthroughs" of the past 50 years were reviewed, including the development of topical fluoride-, calculus removing-, and hypersentivity relieving- products. The author points out that in each case, getting these products from the lab to the clinic took more than 20 years, and we can expect the same timing with products that are in development.

The next area of discussion was the contribution of consumer products and the oral care industry to the prevention of caries and periodontal disease in children. Specifically, toothbrushes designed for children, topical fluoride treatments (toothpastes and mouthrinses), and topical antimicrobial treatments were highlighted. The author points out that daily use of fluoride toothpaste still seems to be the most effective and efficient means of preventing decay in this age group, and that the various formulations of fluoride in different toothpastes are equally effective.

The most interesting section of the article was the author's discussion of potential new therapeutic approaches. In addition to briefly discussing potential new methods of early caries detection (including digital fiberoptic transillumination and light-induced fluorescence) the author identifies two key areas of research that are on-going:

1) limiting caries by strengthening the enamel

a) tiny intra-oral device attached to tooth surface that can constantly and slowly release fluoride

b) microcapsules of fluoride and/or calcium that adhere to the mucosa.

c) dual component toothpaste containing dical and 1000 ppm fluoride (two long-term studies have shown this to be effective)

2) targeting bacteria to inhibit plaque formation

a) topical antimicrobials (Chlorhexidine varnish, triclosan toothpase)

b) S mutans vaccine

c) replacement therapy (replace S. mutans with genetically altered benign strain--clinical trials in progress)

Assessment: The last 1/4 of this article was pretty interesting, and brought up some potential new therapies that I hadn't heard of. Overall, what I took from it is the importance of solid laboratory and clinical research that will then translate in improved care for patients. The new therapies discussed sound pretty cool, but it will be a long time before we use them in the clinic.